Guilty of 18 sex offence charges, Halifax man is jailed for 20 years

Published:10:32Sunday 23 August 2015

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A Halifax man has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of a number of historical sexual offences.

Stephen Bentley of Sandhall Lane, Pellon, was found guilty by a jury at Bradford Crown Court of 18 charges of sexual assault including one charge of attempted rape and of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The series of sexual assaults were committed between 1994 and 2009.

Detective Inspector Dave Shaw from the Calderdale District Safeguarding Team said: “We are pleased that Stephen Bentley has received a substantial sentence and we would like to thank the four victims and their families for their courage in coming forward and reporting these crimes.

“Our trained officers thoroughly investigate all reports of sexual abuse, whether historical or more recent, with outcomes like this in mind - to bring those who commit these offences to justice.”